Tuscaloosa to Host Teen Masters Bowling Event

For millions of Americans bowling is simply a great way to have fun with friends and family. But for a rapidly growing segment of the population, bowling is serious business. 

High school bowling is the fastest growing varsity sport in America and many universities offer talented bowlers athletic scholarships.

A press release from the Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports Commission reads,

Tuscaloosa finds itself right in the heart of the action on May 3 and 4 when high school and junior high athletes from across the region get down to the business of qualifying for the richest scholarship event for high school bowlers, the 17^th annual Teen Masters Bowling Championships!  AMF Bama Lanes, located at 520 15^th Street, has been selected as one of only 25 locations nationwide where aspiring youth bowlers can earn an invitation to the Championship Finals being held in Fort Lauderdale this summer.  There the top boy and girl will win college scholarships of $7,500 and advance to a special match at the PBA World Series of Bowling VI in Las Vegas that will air on ESPN.

"We are very excited that Tuscaloosa has been chosen as the host city for a 2014 Teen Masters qualifying event," said Kelsey Colglazier of the Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports Commission.  "AMF Bama Lanes is a great venue for prestigious bowling competitions and Tuscaloosa is a great family destination!”

The Teen Masters Tuscaloosa Open will feature singles qualifying competition to determine bowlers who will advance bowlers to the Teen Masters National Championships in Fort Lauderdale. On Saturday, May 3, the event begins at 10 am with participants bowling six games on the challenging Teen Masters Long pattern in one of four divisions:   Boys 14 & Under; Girls 14 & Under; High School Boys, and High School Girls.  Singles competition continues on Sunday morning at 10 am with an additional six games bowled on the Teen Masters Short oil pattern. Based on twelve-game totals, the top 20% of boys and girls in each division will earn automatic invitations to compete for national titles.

Without question, the Teen Masters is the premier high school championship event in the USA, as many of the top players from previous events have advanced to the top levels of the sport.  Teen Masters champions Michael Fagan, Jason Sterner, Ryan Ciminelli, John Szczerbinski and Jake Peters have gone on to win national PBA titles, while female champions Brittni Hamilton and Danielle McEwan each won NCAA national titles and became members of Team USA.

Since its inception in 1997, the Teen Masters has helped prepare aspiring athletes for collegiate, international and professional competition by featuring a challenging scoring environment.  The 2014 edition will continue the tradition of conducting its events on challenging lane conditions to offer a genuine test of skill to all contestants.  “Bring your spare game” is the mantra of those who have stepped up to the Teen Masters challenge.

The 2014 Teen Masters Tuscaloosa Open regional qualifying event at AMF Bama Lanes is presented by the Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports Commission and sponsored by Dexter, Ebonite and the Kegel Training Center.  For complete rules, eligibility guidelines, and entry information, please visit TeenMastersBowling.com.